Master William Frederick Goodwin

Who was William Frederick Goodwin?

Master William Frederick Goodwin was a 13 (thirteen) year-old English passenger aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Born on August 12, 1898, in Edmonton, Middlesex, England, William was one of six children in the Goodwin family who tragically perished during the ship’s maiden voyage.

Early Life and Family Background

A Large English Family

William Frederick Goodwin came from a sizeable working-class family:

• Father: Frederick Joseph Goodwin (b. 1870), a printer and compositor
• Mother: Augusta Tyler (b. 1868)
• Siblings:
  1. Lillian Augusta (b. 1896)
  2. Charles Edward (b. 1897)
  3. Jessie Allis Mary (b. 1900)
  4. Harold Victor (b. 1901)
  5. Sidney Leslie (b. 1910)

The Goodwin family’s roots were primarily in Surrey and Middlesex, with William’s parents marrying on December 25, 1894.

Where did the Goodwins live before their fateful journey?

The Goodwin family’s residence changed over the years:

1. 1901: 4 Exeter Road, Edmonton, Middlesex (as per census)
2. 1911: Watson Court, Watson’s Yard, High Street in Melksham, Wiltshire (as per census)
3. 1912: 10 Vernon Street, Fulham, London (temporary residence before departure)

The Titanic Journey

Why were the Goodwins traveling to America?

The Goodwin family’s journey to America was motivated by opportunity and family connections:

• Several of Frederick Goodwin’s siblings had already emigrated to the USA
• They had settled in Niagara, New York
• William’s uncle, Thomas Goodwin, informed the family of a job opportunity for Frederick at the Niagara power station
• The family planned to settle in Niagara, starting a new life in America

How did the Goodwins finance their trip?

To fund their transatlantic journey, the Goodwins relied on family support:

Funds for travel were borrowed from several of his uncles and aunts.

What were the Goodwins’ travel plans?

The family’s travel arrangements underwent last-minute changes:

1. Original plan: Cross the Atlantic on another steamer
2. Change of plans: A coal strike forced them to transfer to the Titanic
3. Embarkation: Boarded the Titanic in Southampton on April 10, 1912
4. Travel class: Third class passengers
5. Ticket details:
   • Number: 2144
   • Cost: £46 18s (46 pounds and 18 shillings)

Fate During the Disaster

What happened to William Frederick Goodwin and his family?

Tragically, the entire Goodwin family was lost in the sinking of the Titanic. As third-class passengers, their chances of survival were significantly lower than those in higher classes. The family’s fate was particularly grim, as noted:

Like most large families travelling in third class, especially those with teenage boys, the entire family was lost in the sinking.

Were any of the Goodwin family members’ bodies recovered?

Among the Goodwin family, only one body was recovered:

• Baby Sidney Leslie Goodwin was found
• His body remained unidentified for many years

Legacy and Remembrance

How is the Goodwin family remembered?

The tragic loss of the Goodwin family has been memorialized:

1. A memorial dedicated to the family stands in the Church at Melksham, Wiltshire.
2. Their story represents the devastating impact of the Titanic disaster on entire families, particularly those traveling in third class.
3. The long-unidentified body of baby Sidney became a symbol of the many young lives lost in the tragedy.

The Goodwin Family’s Titanic Connection

William Frederick Goodwin’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the dreams and aspirations of many third-class passengers aboard the Titanic, whose lives were cut short by the infamous maritime disaster. His family’s tragic fate underscores the disproportionate impact the sinking had on those traveling in steerage, seeking a better life in America.